Loudoun to Host Inaugural Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon!

Are you an avid runner? Do you love beautiful scenery? Do you enjoy great wine? Then mark your calendar for June 4, 2011. We're excited to announce that Loudoun has been chosen as the host site for the new Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon!

The Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon course begins at Breaux Vineyards in Hillsboro and is set on Virginia scenic byways, many of which follow the same historic routes they did when they were chartered centuries ago. Featuring stunning vistas, the route meanders past historic farms, along rolling vineyards and farmland, and under tree-canopied country lanes. The 13.1 mile course ends at Doukénie Winery, site of the post-race Wine & Music Festival, where runners join family and friends to enjoy food, entertainment, the awards ceremony, and wine tasting from Loudoun’s finest vintners. We’re expecting to attract thousands of runners and wine enthusiasts to Loudoun County, Virginia, located just 25 miles from Washington, DC. The total number of runners is limited so they can offer a more exclusive destination experience and the finest in wine country hospitality.

A full slate of activities is scheduled, beginning on Thursday June 2nd with a welcome reception in Washington, DC and culminating with a finishers celebration at Tarara Winery on Saturday evening. Lansdowne Resort is the host of the race expo held on Friday from 10am to 6pm. Most events are open to the public.

The Wine Country Half Marathon series consists of “boutique” destination running races held in scenic wine regions, complimented by wine, food, and entertainment driven activities. Produced by Destination Races of Sonoma, California, the series began in 2004 with the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon and now includes events in Santa Barbara wine country, the Willamette Valley of Oregon, and Healdsburg, California. Each is unique in its characteristics but all wind through the back roads of popular wine regions and finish with their trademark Wine & Music Festival.

We are also excited to announce that the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) will be the national charity and training partner of the race. CCFA’s partnership with Destination Races has helped raised over $7 million in the past three years at the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon. By joining CCFA’s Team Challenge fundraising program, individuals receive training, support, and travel expenses to the destination.

Race registration is now open. Event details and registration are available online at the event website: www.run4virginiawine.com.